Correspondence to Author: Vani Malhotra, Parveen Malhotra, Rahul Awasthi, Ankit Goel, Kuldeep, Rohit Duhan, Pranav Malhotra, Anuj Sharma.. 

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology & Medical Gastroenterology, PGIMS, Rohtak Haryana and VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India.

DOI: 10.52338/jjogastro.2025.5204

Abstract:

Introduction: Rheumatoid Factor (RF) positivity is common in patients with Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, occurring in 50-70% of cases, and can also be associated with autoimmune symptoms. In view of its high prevalence, an RF test alone is not sufficient to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in a patient with HCV. A positive RF test in an HCV patient could be due to the HCV infection itself, or it could indicate a co-occurring RA diagnosis.
Aim of study: To estimate prevalence of Rheumatoid Factor positivity in Hepatitis C patients at tertiary care center of Northern India.
Materials & Methods: This study was conducted at Medical Gastroenterology Department at PGIMS, Rohtak. It was a prospective study done over one year, from 01.10.2024 to 30.09.2025, during which 500 confirmed hepatitis C patients were tested for Rheumatoid factor positivity or negativity. All hepatitis C patients were confirmed on anti HCV antibody test on Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test and HCV RNA Quantitative test on Polymerase chain reaction test (PCR).
Observation and Results:n prospective analysis of 500 confirmed hepatitis C patients, males were 290 (58%) and females were 210 (42%). Out of total pool of 500 HCV patients, 250 (50%) were having rheumatoid factor positive and 250 (50%) were negative. Out of 250 rheumatoid factor positive patients, 133 were males (53.20%) and 117 (46.80%) were females. Out of these 133 rheumatoid factor positive males, 85 (63.90%) were having F0-F2 fibrosis, 12 (9.02%) were having F2-F3 fibrosis and 36 (27.06%) were cirrhotic. Out of total 117 rheumatoid factor positive females, 63 (53.84%) were having F0-F2 fibrosis, 32 (27.35%) were having F2-F3 and 22 (18.80%) were cirrhotic. Out of 250 rheumatoid factor negative patients, 155 were males (62%) and 95 (38%) were females. Out of these 155 rheumatoid factor negative males, 71 (45.80%) were having F0-F2 fibrosis, 60 (38.70%) were having F2-F3 fibrosis and 24 (15.48%) were cirrhotic. Out of total 95 rheumatoid factor negative females, 107 (74.30%) were having F0-F2 fibrosis, 22 (15.27%) were having F2-F3 fibrosis and 15 (10.43%) were cirrhotic. Out of total 250 rheumatoid factor positive patients, 163 (65.20%) were having symptoms of joint pains and rest 87 patients (34.80%) were asymptomatic.
Conclusion: The hepatitis C patients need to be evaluated not only from hepatic point of view but also its extra hepatic impact, of which musculoskeletal system is integral part and every HCV patient should be tested for RF and if positive then confirmation for Rheumatoid arthritis. It holds true in reverse also, meaning by that every RA patient should be checked for HBV and HCV infection.

Keywords: HHepatitis C, Anti HCV antibody, HCV RNA Quantitative, Rheumatoid Factor, Rheumatoid arthritis

Citation:

Dr.Parveen Malhotra, Prevalence of Rheumatoid Factor Positivity in Hepatitis C Patients.Japanese Journal of Gastroenterology 2025.